When your air conditioner starts emitting odd or gross odors, it is necessary to take notice because it could be a sign of a major problem. Disregarding unpleasant smells coming from your air conditioning can lead to serious damage to your air conditioning or even pose a risk to your health and safety.
Depending on what you’re smelling, the culprit may be bacteria or fungus in the system. Other times, it could also signal something mechanically wrong with the AC. Some smells are a sign of a dangerous situation, such as a natural gas leak.
At Paniccia Heating & Cooling, we have a nose for these sorts of things. If you smell something weird coming from your cooling system, chances are our team of qualified professionals has smelled it, too—and fixed it! We’ve earned our reputation as the first call for air conditioning repair in Michigan City.
What does a particular smell wafting out of your air conditioning mean? Here are a few frequent air conditioner aromas and what they might mean:
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Feet
If your air conditioner smells like feet, it can be due to a buildup of bacteria or fungus in the system. When moisture builds inside the unit, it can produce an environment that is beneficial to the growth of bacteria and fungus. This can result in a foul odor that is often described as smelling like feet.
Another likely cause of an odor of stinky feet may be a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, dust and other debris, it can result in low air quality and a musty smell that bears a resemblance to feet.
To fix this dilemma, it’s important to have an experienced specialist inspect and clean your air conditioning system, including the evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain line. It’s also important to exchange the air filter routinely to ensure good air quality and restrict the formation of bacteria and fungus.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Rotten Eggs
If your air conditioning equipment reeks of rotten eggs, it may be because of a natural gas leak in the unit or in the surrounding area. Natural gas has a distinctive odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur, which is added to it to make it easily detectable.
A natural gas leak is a situation that is extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, immediately open windows and doors to allow gas to escape the area, make everyone leave the building and call your gas company or emergency services right away.
Your AC Smells Like Mildew
If your AC is giving off an odor like mildew, it could be due to a accumulation of moisture inside the unit. When moisture forms inside an air conditioner, it can promote the growth of mold and mildew. This can cause a musty smell that it similar to mildew.
Another possible cause of the smell may be a dirty air filter. If the air filter becomes clogged, it can lead to poor air quality and a musty smell that resembles mildew.
Routine air conditioning maintenance from Paniccia Heating & Cooling can help protect against both of these problems, because a good cleaning, inspection and filter change is a great way to keep your system operating at its best!
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Urine
One of the most unpleasant things is when the air coming out of your HVAC system smells like urine.
If your air conditioning smells like urine, it could be traced back to a number of things. One possible cause is a accumulation of bacteria or mold in the your HVAC. This can happen in the event that moisture accumulates in the system and creates a damp environment that is conducive to bacterial growth. The bacteria can emit a foul odor that some people describe as smelling like urine.
Another feasible cause of the stink could be a blocked drain line. The condensation that forms inside the air conditioning unit needs to drain away properly, but if the drain line becomes filled with debris, it can cause water to back up and build up inside the unit. This can create a musty smell that can stink like urine.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Burning Plastic
If your air conditioning system smells like burning plastic, it might be because of an electrical issue with the unit. Over time, the electrical elements in the air conditioning system can wear out or break, which can produce a burning smell that resembles plastic.
Another possible root cause of the smell could be a foreign object that somehow got in the the air conditioner. If something foreign gets caught in the air conditioning system, it can heat up and result in a smell similar to burning plastic.
If you notice something that smells like burning plastic coming from your air conditioner, it’s essential to call a professional right away.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Gas
If your air conditioner smells like gas, it could be due to a natural gas leak in the unit or in your home. Natural gas has a recognizable odor, often described as smelling like rotten eggs or sulfur. That’s because this scent is put into natural gas to make sure that it is easily detectable.
As stated before, a natural gas leak can be VERY harmful and requires immediate attention. When you suspect a gas leak, turn off your air conditioning system, open windows and doors to air out the home, leave the building and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
The Air Conditioning Smells Like Fish
If your AC smell like fish, you may have a situation where there’s a build-up of bacteria or mold in the unit. Moisture causes an environment that is conducive to the growth of bacteria and mold. This can cause a foul odor that is often described as smelling like fish or, as mentioned earlier, it also can result in a smell like dirty feet.
Another potential cause of the smell could be a dead animal or other biological material caught within the air conditioning system. This often is possible if an animal such as a mouse or bird is trapped inside the unit and dies.
To fix the issue, it’s worthwhile to have a professional inspect and clean your HVAC system. They will be able to identify the source of the smell and take the correct steps to remove any contaminants and keep the problem from recurring.
Why My Air Conditioner Smells Like Vinegar
There could be several reasons a home’s air conditioner smells like vinegar. One possible cause is a dirty air filter. Another possible cause of the smell may be a refrigerant leak. Sometimes after the refrigerant leaks, it can make a chemical odor that resembles vinegar.
To fix the issue, it’s important to have a skilled tech examine and clean your air conditioning. If the odor persists after the cleaning and changing of the air filter, it’s best to reach back out to a professional to diagnose and repair any hidden issues with your air conditioning. Or, the mechanic can tell you if your air conditioning ought to be replaced.
If you are planning to upgrade, Paniccia Heating & Cooling can help select the right unit to fit your home’s needs. We provide dependable, professional air conditioner installation in Michigan City.
My Air Conditioner Smells Like Chemicals
If the smell of chemicals is coming out of your air conditioner, it could be due to a refrigerant leak. If the refrigerant leaks, it can create a chemical scent that some people describe as smelling like chemicals or paint thinner, vinegar or acetone.
Another possible reason for the smell could be a problem with the electrical wiring or hardware inside the air conditioning system. This can result in a burning smell that resembles chemicals or burning plastic.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak or an electrical concern, it’s important to shut off your air conditioning system right away and contact a professional to inspect and repair the unit. Refrigerant leaks can be hazardous and may require immediate attention to protect against injury or damage to your house.
A Nasty Odor Coming from the Air Conditioning? Contact the Experts at Paniccia Heating & Cooling
If your air conditioner smells nasty and you aren’t able to fix it easily on your own, contact the cooling professionals at Paniccia Heating & Cooling. We have years of experience working with a wide variety of air conditioning systems. Our crew has fixed a multitude of air conditioning concerns throughout the years—including funky smells. Call us today for quality AC repair in Michigan City!